Police on Friday searched for a 54-year-old Santa Cruz transient man accused of stabbing a 20-year-old Santa Cruz transient man during a fight on Encinal Street.

About noon on the 400 block of Encinal Street, the pair argued over a woman and it escalated into a fight, said Santa Cruz Deputy Police Chief Rick Martinez. The 20-year-old's wrist was sliced and tendons were severed in his left hand, police said. The weapon appeared to be a knife.

Someone called 911 and the 20-year-old was taken by ambulance to a hospital, Martinez said. The man's injuries were not life-threatening.

The 54-year-old fled. Police identified him as Michael Barnum, a 6-foot white man who is about 150 pounds with blue eyes and light red hair.

Barnum is wanted on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and remained on the lam Friday evening, police said.

Zayante

HOME'S YARD BURNED IN FIRE &GT;&GT; Firefighters fought a blaze Friday morning that burned the half an acre of wooded area in front of a home on the 100 block of Hawks Hill Road.

About 4:45 a.m., there was a report of a fire in the front yard of a single-story home, Scotts Valley Fire Capt. Jeff McNeil said. The fire burned tree stumps, fallen debris on the ground and the lower portions of trees in the uphill sloped front yard, he said.

The fire burned for hours before it was reported, McNeil said. He added it was fortunate the fire happened at night because there was more humidity.

A neighbor reported the fire, then warned the homeowners and battled the flames with a garden hose, McNeil said. While the fire threatened a nearby shed, it did not threaten the home, he said.

The fire burned about half an acre before firefighters got it under control in 15 to 20 minutes, McNeil said. They spent about two hours clearing hot spots.

The cause of the fire is being investigated but no foul play is suspected, McNeil said.